Joe McIntyre/staff photographerIsabelle Woodward, 8, of Cortland buys her lunch from Indulge employee Kelly Knaverhase Saturday with part of the proceeds going toward the preservation of Wickwire Pool.

By AMY E. BARONE
Staff reporter
abarone@cortlandstandardnews.net
SUNY Cortland students in a communications studies course used a Shop to Donate event downtown, a Lose the Shoes Soccer Tournament on campus and roller derby match in Cortlandville Saturday to raise money and awareness for 67-year old Wickwire Pool in the city’s Suggett Park.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., three downtown businesses — Frank & Mary’s Diner, Indulge and Logo This! — agreed to donate a portion of their Saturday sales to the Wickwire Pool Trust Fund.
Frank & Mary’s Diner donated 10 percent of the revenue from pancake and sausage breakfast orders, while Indulge and Logo This! donated 10 percent of all sales to the pool fund.
The pool needs between $750,000 and $1 million in renovations, according to John McNerney, city Youth Bureau director. “We have applied for the New York State Environmental Funds for the second year in a row, but have not received any confirmation yet.”
The grant this year asked for $500,000.
McNerney noted he has yet to receive confirmation on a local grant worth $25,000 from the Cortland Community Foundation.
But he said this morning that the pool received a $100,000 grant from state Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton’s office under a Community Capital Assistance Program.
The pools needs a new gutter system, main drains and return lines, a filtration system, pump and motor and new concrete deck.
SUNY Cortland senior students, Emily Rowse and Lauren Collins, were two of four classmates and co-event planners at Indulge. Greeting people comprised of community members and students, customers were apprised of the business’ donation and handed small cards that listed a Facebook page and Twitter account, as well as online donation website: www.hopemob.org/s/1f4-save-the-wickwire-pool.
“Our job is to raise awareness by utilizing social networking options” said Collins, a musical theater major and communications minor. “We set out to bridge a gap between the college and a community through the cause of the pool.”
Citing realistic goals, Rowse, a communications major, added that “there is only so much a group of students can do, as far as raising money. Our main job is to save the pool through community awareness.”
Local resident Julia Ganson stumbled upon Indulge during the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. time frame of the fundraiser and was delighted to learn about the contribution.
“It is just a great cause,” she said.
Indulge owner Lisa Crupe reminisced about the importance of community pools for children over the summer.
“When I was growing up in Syracuse, houses did not have individual pools. Kids relied upon utilizing community pools, especially during the hot summer months,” she said.
Crupe added that community pools bring family and friends together. It is a way to promote healthy habits through exercise and being exposed to the outdoors, instead of sitting in front of a television.
“I’m happy to help out and consider this a worthy cause,” she said.
At the Lose the Shoes Soccer Tournament and Canon Brawl Roller Derby Match, students also set up a table noting the Save Wickwire Pool Campaign, as well as ways to help donate to the cause.
The pool remains free to the public and can see as many as 25,000 swimmers during a typical summer, according to McNerney.
The Youth Bureau plans on opening the pool at noon on June 22.
“We will continue to implement minor patches to the pool,” said McNerney.